Damon benefits from an UZR update

Recently, FanGraphs updated its UZR measurements for 2010 (for park factors, power of the batter, speed of the batter, etc.), which subsequently influenced player ratings in previous seasons. In most cases, even with the alteration to UZR’s formula, the fielding numbers for players did not change significantly to the point where one player went from [...]

Championship rings for all

Via Tyler Kepner of the NY Times: With the Yankees headed to Oakland this week, Manager Joe Girardi is bringing a ring for Chad Gaudin and Edwar Ramirez, the former Yankees right-handers who now pitch for the Athletics. General Manager Brian Cashman has also sent rings to Brian Bruney and Chien-Ming Wang of the Nationals [...]

Thames will need to prove his worth all season

This spring, over 42 at-bats, Marcus Thames, the right-handed, power-hitting outfielder the Yankees signed to a minor-league deal for a base salary of $900k, is hitting a mere .143/.200/.286, while leading the club with 17 strikeouts. Now, spring statistics are generally hollow numbers, however, in some instances, particularly when a player is signed to a [...]

Two-inning outings for Joba in 2010?

Could Joba Chamberlain pitch multiple innings – two at the most, the seventh and the eighth – out of the bullpen this season? According to Joe Girardi, it remains a possibility. “I think it’s something that you can look at,” noted Girardi on Saturday, after Joba’s first “official” appearance as a reliever, in which he [...]

Dave Eiland likes Joba in the bullpen

Via Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger: The Joba Chamberlain debate may continue to rage outside of the clubhouse, though to Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland, the eternal back-and-forth about the Yankees’ prized arm is over.”We will not bring him out of the bullpen to start this year,” Eiland told the Star-Ledger on Sunday morning. “There’s [...]

Kevin Long compares Brett Gardner to Kenny Lofton

Over the weekend, hitting instructor, Kevin Long, spoke a bit about the virtues of Brett Gardner, the Yankees’ left fielder this season. “I think he’s a great player,” Long said. “I’m a big, big Brett Gardner fan. I think he’s going to do terrific. I’m excited for the fact that he’s going to get to [...]

Morning Bits: Joba, LF/CF, Jeter, Damon

Here are a few quick items on the morning: Within the Yankees organization, there has been a lot of debate regarding Joba Chamberlain. We’ve seen that demonstrated with Brian Cashman, Billy Eppler and Dave Eiland this weekend. Reports indicate Gardner will be LF with Granderson in CF, though nothing has been made official. Check out [...]

Gaudin returning to Oakland

After being released by the Yankees last week, it did not take long for 27-year old Chad Gaudin to find a new home. According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the right-hander has agreed to a deal with Oakland, which is where he actually established himself as a pitcher back in ’06-07 (before being traded [...]

Cashman calls Eppler’s take on Joba an “opinion”

Earlier today, I pointed to an interesting WFAN interview from yesterday, in which the Yankees’ director of professional scouting, Billy Eppler, discussed Joba Chamberlain’s future as a pitcher. To the dismay of many – myself included – in the interview, Eppler basically stated that Joba would remain a reliever in 2011, rather than transition back [...]

STG24: Yankees VS Tigers

Here are the lineups via LoHud: YANKEES Derek Jeter SS Nick Johnson DH Mark Teixeira 1B Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Jorge Posada C Curtis Granderson CF Nick Swisher RF Brett Gardner LF LHP Andy Pettitte TIGERS Austin Jackson CF Johnny Damon DH Magglio Ordonez RF Ryan Raburn 2B Carlos Guillen LF Brent Dlugach [...]

Eppler says Joba won’t return to the rotation in 2011

Yesterday, Billy Eppler, the Yankees’ director of pro-scouting, spoke with WFAN’s Evan Roberts (props to TYU) and was pretty straightforward when discussing Joba Chamberlain. When asked whether or not Joba would compete for a rotation spot next year, in 2011 – something many believe will happen after Brian Cashman’s recent take on the Joba-to-the-bullpen decision [...]

Update on Beckett-Boston extension talks

Via our old friend, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe: ESPN/Boston is reporting tonight that the Red Sox will not offer Josh Beckett more than a four-year extension on his contract. Considering that Beckett is already signed for 2010, that was likely the case all along. Signing him to a five-year deal would create a [...]

Recap Bits: Damon, Burnett, Joba

The Yankees toppled the Tigers, 2-1, and here are a few items from that game: Former Yankee LF, Johnny Damon, went 1-for-2 today and is hitting .341 over 15 games this spring. A.J. Burnett pitched well, holding Detroit to just 1 ER off of 3 hits over 6 2/3 innings pitched (2 K, 3 BB). [...]

Reggie’s relationship with Werth a good thing for the Yankees

Via Joel Sherman of the NY Post: Reggie Jackson has a longstanding relationship with the family of Jayson Werth. He became good friends with Jayson’s step-dad, Dennis, when both men were Yankee outfielders from 1979-81. Jayson’s mother, Kim, is a sister to Dick Schofield, who was Jackson’s Angels teammate from 1983-86. It was in the [...]

STG23: Yankees @ Tigers

Ah, a little late on this. Lineups via Chad Jennings: YANKEES Brett Gardner LF Nick Johnson 1B Jorge Posada C Marcus Thames DH Curtis Granderson CF Randy Winn RF Ramiro Pena SS Kevin Russo 2B Brandon Laird 3B RHP A.J. Burnett TIGERS Austin Jackson CF Johnny Damon LF Magglio Ordonez RF Miguel Cabrera 1B Carlos [...]

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